[TowerTalk] Rotator loops.

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:36:49 -0500
From: Pete Smith <n4zr at contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Rotator loops

I notice that typical ham rotator loops involve an unsupported loop that 
is perpendicular to the mast, and attached at top and bottom.  It seems 
to me that this means a lot of flexing through 360 degrees, and in the 
wind.  I have also noticed that TV station remote trucks seem to use 
another solution for their rotating dishes - they wrap a few turns of 
coax loosely around the mast, so that a one-turn rotation only slightly 
loosens or tightens the wrap.  Seems like this would be a better, more 
durable practice for ham installations too.

73, Pete N4ZR

## It does work.. and very well too.  The usual procedure is to mount the
lowest yagi a little higher up the mast though.   IE: 2-3'  instead of the usual
3"-6". 

##  using that method you can actually use coax that is very rigid, like
 LMR-600.    I have  see cases  where  LMR-1200 was used in
the same fashion.... 3 x wraps  around the mast, 3'  in diam.
They both rotated just fine. 

later.... Jim   VE7RF